A River Runs Near It March 31st, 2019
Hello to all my carnivorous friends and welcome to all my new readers. The winter in the Northeast has mercifully left us (at least I hope and pray to god that she has). Mother Nature has clearly been off her meds for the past month as March has jumped from 5 degrees to 50 and back to 10 in a matter of a few days.
Here we are the last day of March and the mercury has risen past 60, it is time for this old bear to shake off the winter cobwebs, climb out of my winter hibernation and forage for food. Unlike Yogi, picnic baskets just don't cut for me. I ventured out in search of the smell of wood smoke (the kind that is not just heating someones hose) and the taste of slow smoked meats.
My nose, and ample belly pointed me north to New Hampshire and the City of Nashua. Famous, or infamous, for The Pheasant Lane Mall one of the largest shopping malls in the state and the crazy busy retail and commercial area that has blossomed all around it in South Nashua. I say infamous because with any large expanse of commercial properties like this one, there usually is a quaint downtown area that has been left in its wake. Nashua is no exception to this so I am here to tell you to follow the signs that lead you away from the mall toward "Downtown". It is worth the trip in so many ways, if you've never visited the real downtown of Nashua, you are missing the big picture.
Lined with boutique shops, bars and restaurants, this main street is alive and well and in the shadows (almost) of Holman Stadium. This historic ballpark, built in 1937, once housed the Nashua Dodgers, minor league team for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and was the first Racially integrated ball-team in the twentieth century. Holman is currently home to @NashuaSilverKnights baseball club, newly acquired by John Creedon who along with his family own @creedonandco one of the best catering companies on the planet.
Just a very short drive down main street you will come to the Farragut River that cuts thru the down town area and twists it way across the city. On the banks of the river you will find Riverside BBQ Company. Run by pit-master Dave Manganello, who got his start as the Nashua Sausage King, selling ball park favorites. In 2013, Dave stepped up to the plate and opened the Riverside BBQ Company, the first authentic southern style BBQ joint in the city.This was my first trip to Riverside BBQ and boy did I pick a great place to open up my 2019 Blog. When you are a big guy like me, after a long cold winter, you need slow smoked goodness and lots of it. The Riverside did not disappoint. I had the three meat platter and for just $21.99 I had enough food to fill my over due desire and still take an entire second helping home for lunch tomorrow!
Your choices are Memphis Ribs (check), Smoked Turkey (check), Beef Brisket (check), Burnt Ends (My dining partner got these so check), pulled pork, pulled chicken or smoked sausage. All this comes with two "River Sides", again your choice of collards (check), Baked Beans (check), coleslaw, Mac-N-Cheese (check), Texas Corn, cinnamon apples and cornbread (check).The ribs were moist and tasty and smoked to perfection, in fact my first piece the bone fell right out on my first bite. The brisket was so tender it fell apart with the slightest of nudging from my fork, and the turkey was thick slices of pure poultry pleasure. There was enough meat on this plate to feed two people and still have leftovers.
Our server Andrew brought us a five pack of sauce bottles to experiment with, but one taste of the "Colonel Mustard" sauce and I was sold. They also have Sweet Carolina, Boss Hog Vinegar, a house sauce "Riverside Original" that is thick and so tasty, as well as Disco Inferno and Deadly Sins. Thankfully Jenni served up a fresh Peach Mojito to take away the heat. This hand muddled drink is a must have!
Pitmaster Dave's dry rub is a flavor all it's own. I always try to guess what these masters use and can usually come pretty close, but Dave threw a curve-ball at me that left me guessing cumin? The flavor is unique and so very good and it finds it's way into the collard greens as well. There is zero need for sauce on any of this, the smoke ring on the brisket was like a work of art to me!
If you find yourself in Nashua, follow the signs to Downtown, and as the Talking Heads were so fond of saying, "Take me to the River" and you must dip yourself into the waters of The Riverside BBQ Company, and while your there, venture on up the road and take in a Silver Knights game, after all man cannot live on meats alone!
2109 is the year of the pig. I am planning on some big trips and wild times, so please, come along with me and please take the time to visit the places I do, after all, you do not get as big as The Bone Bag, by eating bad food!
